Sierra Vista High School senior Jesus Medina has been named a 2021 Dell Scholar, a distinction that comes with a $20,000 scholarship to support his college and career goals.
As part of the recognition from the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation, Medina also will receive a laptop and access to Dell Scholars Connect, a mentoring program that offers support from other Dell Scholars.
“Finding out I was a Dell Scholar was such a surreal moment because I was doubting myself and I thought it was pure luck that I was a semifinalist,” Medina said. “To me, this seemed too good to be true. To this day I am still in awe.”
A high-achieving scholar with a 3.7 GPA, Medina is also an active member on SVHS campus. He is involved in eight clubs and holds executive board positions in seven of them, serving as ASB vice president, AVID president, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) treasurer, Women Empowerment Club vice president, School Site Council student representative, Hiking Club treasurer, as well as Move, Play and Unplug Club president and Wrestling Club president.
Medina is also on the Dons wrestling and track and field teams.
“This scholarship means so much to me because it opens the doors to the goals I plan to accomplish in the near future,” Medina said. “I would not be here without the help of the AVID program at Sierra Vista High School, which has taught me how to be more organized in my classes and how to prepare myself for college.”
Medina thanks his sister Johanna Medina for being his top supporter and helping him widen his perspectives and pursue his goals.
“Jesus is a dedicated and determined leader,” SVHS ASB and Activities Director Stacey Merrick said. “He has leadership roles in our most prominent campus programs and he ensures that his efforts and influence improve the high school experience for all students.”
After graduation, Medina plans to attend UC Merced to study secondary education and psychology, with the long-term goal of teaching high school students in low-income communities.